Electrolux 2008 Annual Report Download - page 44

annual report 2008 | part 1 | sustainability
Delivering lasting value
With a sustainable business approach, Electrolux aims to increase trust among consumers,
employees, investors and regulators. The Group’s environmental and social performance
and energy-efficient products help build strong relationships with retailers such as IKEA
and Sears.
Sustainability is integrated into the Electrolux business strategy
and operations. This creates opportunities for growth, cost reduc-
tion and brand-building.
To support the Group strategy, four main priorities for sustain-
ability have been identified: sound business practices; response
to the climate challenge; responsible sourcing; and restructuring.
Sound business practices
Companies with sound business practices, that are transparent
and inspire trust, will emerge stronger out of current financial tur-
bulence.
Electrolux emphasizes high standards of quality in products
and company conduct. That is why the Group’s governance
structure is designed to safeguard high environmental, social and
human rights standards wherever Electrolux does business. This
helps the Group anticipate risks and opportunities and manage
them transparently. Through training, monitoring and awareness-
raising, these values are integrated into company culture.
Nurturing competence, equality and cultural diversity as well as
ensuring safe and healthy workplaces are ongoing focus areas.
Future initiatives include a coordinated program for ethics-related
policies, including the Code of Ethics and the Policy on Counter-
ing Bribery and Corruption.
United Nations Global Compact
Electrolux is a participant in the United
Nations Global Compact. The UNGC
brings together companies, UN agencies,
labor and civil society to promote ten prin-
ciples in the areas of human rights, labor,
the environment and anti-corruption. All
Electrolux policies, including the Code of
Ethics, Workplace Code of Conduct, Policy on Countering Corruption
and Bribery and Environmental Policy are in line with these principles.
Climate challenge
Climate change is a global challenge, and Electrolux has a respon-
sibility to get involved. Moreover, showing leadership in this area
helps the Group to differentiate products as well as brand.
Electrolux has a three-pronged climate strategy. Firstly, the
approach is product-led. Efficient products comprise the Group’s
greatest contribution to reduction of CO2 emissions. Each busi-
ness area is, therefore, promoting its own range of environmen-
tally leading products.
Secondly, the Group will cut its own energy consumption by
15% in factories and facilities by 2009. Energy use has declined
by 12.5% from 2005 levels, which has reduced CO2 emissions by
74,200 tons. A new target for 2012 will be defined.
2008
51%
27%
13%
9%
<1%
Europe
North America
South America
Asia/Pacific
Rest of the
world
The ratio of employees
between geographical
areas has not changed
significantly between
2007 and 2008. There
were 55,200 employees in
2008. The corresponding
number for 2007 was
56,900.
Employees, by geographical areas (GRI LA1) Group 2009 energy savings targets (GRI EN18)
80
6020 40
0100 120 140
Appliances Europe
Appliances North America
Appliances Asia/Pacific
Appliances Latin America
Floor Care and Small Appliances
Professional Products
Electrolux Group
%Target 85% (2009)
Savings (in %) compared to 2005
2008
20072006
The Group target to reduce
energy consumption 15% by
year-end 2009, compared to
the 2005 level was almost
accomplished already in
2008. Energy consumption
has been reduced 12.5%,
corresponding to a reduction
of 74,200 tons of CO2.
2008 data is based on 53
factories, 23 warehouses
and 39 offices, compared to
52 factories, 17 warehouses
and 25 offices in 2005.
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